American Go E-Journal » 2016 » March

Elementary schools in Mexico City and Portland, OR, squared off on KGS on March 12th, reports organizer Peter Freedman. Portland came out on top this time, with an 8-6 record. 14 children participated from the two cities, and Portland won each of two rounds by the score of 4-3. Two game winners: Portland: Emmett Perkins, Miles Gray and Oliver Kuerbis; Mexico City: Bruno Michaca, Kevin Aceves. –Photo: Mexican contestants used both tablets and laptops to play. Photo by Sid Avila

Showtime’s Billions: On the March 20 episode of Showtime’s Billions (Episode 9: “Where the F… is Donnie?”), during a scene at the DA’s office with Chuck (Paul Giamatti’s character), go was referenced while the Axelrod case was being discussed, reports Joe Maia. “Bryan explains to Chuck that the AG’s office was about to pull the Axelrod case so he found it prudent to let slip their upper hand (their informant from Axelrod). Chuck approves of the kikashi play.”

Lucifer comic: Go makes an appearance in Issue #3 of Vertigo’s comic, Lucifer (right), reports Cylis Dreamer. “The plot is confusing as is comic tradition, plus this comic series is a continuation of an older comic from over a decade ago, (but) Lucifer is sitting in a dreamscape playing go with his current cohort. It’s the last page in the issue, so it’s a little dramatic.”

The deadline to register for the 2016 School Team Tournament (STT) has been extended to 3/26. “Register your school now,” says AGHS President Yunxuan Li. “This year there will be many wonderful prizes for top finishers in each division. The STT is one of the most interactive and competitive go tournaments for students in high school or below. All you need to do is gather 3 players from your school and sign up to compete.” Prizes include a full scholarship to the AGA Summer Go Camp – for the whole team. More information on the event can be found here. To register, click here.

The Nihon Ki-in Go Camp 2016 will be held for 10 days from August 23 through September 1 at the Nihon Ki-in.

“The Summer Go Camp will be held for overseas go players who want to improve their go level and to experience Japan’s rich go culture and to make friends with the participants from around the world!” say organizers. The Go Camp 2016 will provide participants with unique and content, including playing in Japan’s most popular amateur tournament, teaching games and special commentaries by legendary players, plus visit and watch the first game of the Meijin Title Match at the Four Seasons in Tokyo.

Other features: Go Seigen’s secret story and his “best game* will be introduced by a professional who is very familiar with Go Seigen. Participants will enjoy goodwill matches with Japanese University students. Special sightseeing programs in/around Tokyo will be also available.

Register before June 30 and the program fee will be 29,800 JPY (45,000 JPY) after that. For inquiry or registration:
email overseasdept@nihonkiin.or.jp

Reminder that the first Japan Go Congress will be held July 15 through 18 in Takarazuka, Japan, and organised by the Kansai Ki-in. In addition to a maintournament, the Congress — at which 200-300 participants are expected — will offer a variety of side events such as lectures, teaching games with professionals, and other traditional Japanese games. Famous for its Grand Theater, Takarazuka is also known as the “city of opera.” Situated northwest of Osaka, it is outside of typical urban tension, but still easily accessible. Available accommodations include Daikin Dormitory, the Takarazuka Inn Hotel and the Takarazuka Hotel; click here for details. “The Kansai Ki-in warmly welcomes players from abroad,” reports their Go Congress Team.

Just before the Japan Go Congress, the 4th Osaka Go Camp — also organized by the Kansai Ki-in — will be held from June 26 to July 14. Last year there were more than 70 participants at the camp, where “You can train with professionals in a cozy environment and do sight-seeing,” report organizers.

The Canadian Open will be just two days this year, July 2-3 in Oakville Ontario (about a 40 minute drive from Toronto). In recent years the CGA has encouraged a 3-day main event to make the days less tiring and to leave more room for activities other than the main tournament but facilities challenges made that impractical this year. The Pair Go event will take place on the Friday July 1st at the Golden Key Mississauga facility. The Toronto Go Open will be held April 30; click here for the entire current 2016 Canadian tournament schedule.

Horst Sudhoff, long-time friend of the U.S. Go Congress and go players all over the world, died at 84 on Saturday, March 18, peacefully and surrounded by his family, in Bochum, Germany.

We met at his first U.S. Go Congress. He loved to play rapid games, and we quickly became partners, playing late into the night during the week. He attended 20 straight Congresses. After each one, he drove thousands of miles in a few weeks, hitting virtually all of the tourist sights in nearby states. Horst touched every state but Alaska and Hawaii, and delighted in sharing what he saw in story after story.

Horst’s joy in go was unlimited. He once he told me that he had memorized over 10,000 tesuji. Indeed, his game was full of aggressive tesuji, and it took me several years to learn the patience to counter with a late probe at a weakness. He was about five Dan when we first met, able to give me three stones and still make me feel silly.

We talked about go, travel, business, investing, Germany, and his family. Pride in his children was foremost, and he never tired of relating all of their educational and professional accomplishments. My wife Helga and I visited the family in Bochum, and our families formed a lasting bond.

At his 20th Congress Horst said that it would be his last, and that it was time to explore more of Europe. So, to memorialize his final Congress, we agreed to play 100 “serious” games, and finished the last as appetizers were served at the banquet. We laughed, looked at each other, and declared that it would be a long time before anyone else came close to this record (or would want to)…

Later, we invited him to the 2009 Congress in Washington, DC, but when he arrived it was clear that Horst had some health problems. Sudden low blood pressure made it hard to walk, so after a while in the hospital undergoing diagnosis, he was flown home and his travels were over. We visited him in Bochum again, and his spirit remained high, along with his unbounded joy in life.

Horst Sudhoff was outgoing and warm with everyone, and made friends in many countries. Anyone who would like to contribute memories, stories, or photos may send them to me at allango1@verizon.net for a memory book for his family.

Allan Abramson is a longtime Northern Virginia go organizer and former president of the American Go Association. photo (top right): Horst Sudhoff shows off his sheaf of Self-Paired Tournament wins at the 2002 U.S. Go Congress (photo by Phil Straus); left: at the Abramson home in 2009; photo by Allan Abramson

Mark Lee scored a perfect 5-0 record to win the 2016 New Jersey Open championship March 19-20 at Princeton University. Lee (right), who lives in Los Angeles, has been having a good year, winning the Jin Chen Open on January 3, sweeping the Southern Cal Go Championship March 5-6 and winning the San Diego tournament in January. Zhaonian (Michael) Chen was second, Zhongxia (Ricky) Zhao third, Alan Huang fourth and Yunxuan Li fifth. Click here to view all player standings, ratings and pairings. A total of 155 players registered, and as many as 142 played in each round in the 2-day tournament held in Princeton, New Jersey. Click here to see tourney photos on the AGA’s Twitter feed. The Princeton student go club organized this event with support from alumnus adviser Rick Mott and the Feng Yun Go School; Paul Matthews was the tournament director. “Thanks to Chris Garlock and John Pinkerton for broadcasting boards 1 and 2 on KGS,” said Matthews.

Winning 4 or 5 games at any level in this tournament is hard because players were matched by ratings which were dynamically updated, says Matthews.

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AlphaGo and Artificial Intelligence: One may easily imagine a future in which the only available careers are as artists, mathematicians, and prostitutes. One may imagine a slightly more distant future where even these careers have been automated. (Huck Bennett)